UPSC Civil Services Main Examination Revised Syllabus Pattern2013

The Civil Services Main examination is designed to test the academic talent of the
aspirant, also his/her ability to present his/ her knowledge in a clear and coherent
manner. The main Examination is intended to assess the overall intellectual traits and
depth of understanding of candidates rather than merely the range of their information
and memory.
The UPSC has revised the pattern of Civil Services Main examination from 2013.
Now there are 7 + 2 = 9 papers to be answered in the main examination and all of
them are of descriptive type. There are two qualifying papers of 300 marks each 1)
any modern Indian language 2) English, whose marks will not be counted in the main
examination.
The total marks of the written examination will be 1750 Marks.
The Interview/Personality Test will be of 275 marks.
The Grand Total 2025 Marks
The candidate is allowed to use any one language from the Eighth Schedule of the
Constitution or English as the medium of writing the examination.
There is only "ONE" optional subject to choose from the list of subjects. It comprises
of two papers each of 250 marks with a total of 500 marks.
Candidate is allowed to take up literature as an optional subject "without the
conditionality of having to do his/her graduation in that language's literature.
The scope of the syllabus of optional paper is higher than the bachelor's degree but
lower than the master's level.
According to the new pattern there are "FOUR" General Studies paper each
comprising of 250 Marks with a total of 1000 Marks. So the weight-age of General
Study papers is increased.
The scope of the syllabus of General Studies is of degree level.
Summary of the Latest Pattern of Civil Services (Mains) Examination
Paper1
Essay - 250 Marks
Can be written in the medium or language of the candidate's
choice
Paper - II
Language -300 Marks
Candidate can take any Modern Indian language but this paper is of
qualifying nature
Paper - III
English -300 Marks

This paper is of qualifying nature

Paper-IV
General Studies-I 250 Marks (Indian Heritage and Culture,
History and Geography of the World and Society)
Paper-V
General Studies -II: 250 Marks
(Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International
relations)
Paper-VI
General Studies -III 250 Marks
(Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment,
Security and Disaster Management)
Paper-VII
General Studies -IV 250 Marks
(Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)
Marks carried by General Studies was 4X 250=1000
Paper-VIII
Optional Subject - Paper 1 -250 Marks
Paper-IX
Optional Subject - Paper II -250 Marks
Candidate is allowed to take up literature as an optional subject
"without the conditionality of having to do his/her graduation in
that language's literature.
Sub Total (Written test) 2350 Marks
Marks of English and Language will not be counted so total marks
for Written exam will be 2350 MINUS 600 = 1750 Marks
Interview/Personality Test - 275 marks
Grand Total 2025 Marks
A candidate is allowed to use any one language from the Eighth
Schedule of the Constitution or English as the medium of writing the
examination.

The written examination will consist of the following papers:

Paper A - English -300 marks - Qualifying nature - Marks not counted- Passing
mandatory

The aim of the paper is to test the candidates' ability to read and understand serious
discursive prose, and to express his ideas clearly and correctly, in English and Indian
Language concerned.
The pattern of questions would be broadly as follows:(i) Comprehension of given passages
(ii) Precis Writing
(iii) Usage and Vocabulary
(iv) Short Essay.
Paper B - A - Modern Indian language 300 Marks - Qualifying nature - Marks not
counted - Passing mandatory(i) Comprehension of given passages.
(ii) Precis Writing
(iii) Usage and Vocabulary.
(iv) Short Essay
(v) Translation from English to the Indian language and vice-versa.
Note 1: The Papers on Indian Languages and English will be of Matriculation or
equivalent standard and will be of qualifying nature only. The marks obtained in these
papers will not be counted for ranking.
Note 2 : The candidates will have to answer the English and Indian Languages
papers in English and the respective Indian language (except where translation is
involved).
Paper-I
Essay - 250 Marks - To be written in the medium or language of the candidate's
choice - Candidates will be required to write an essay on a specific topic. The choice
of subjects will be given. They will be expected to keep closely to the subject of the
essay to arrange their ideas in orderly fashion, and to write concisely. Credit will be
given for effective and exact expression.
Paper-II
General Studies-I 250Marks (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of
the World and Society)
Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture
from ancient to modern times.
Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the
present- significant events, personalities, issues
The Freedom Struggle - its various stages and important contributors /contributions
from different parts of the country.
Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.

History of the world will include events from 18 th century such as industrial revolution,
world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political
philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism etc.- their forms and effect on the
society.
Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.
Role of women and women's organization, population and associated issues, poverty
and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
Effects of globalization on Indian society
Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.
Salient features of world's physical geography.
Distribution of key natural resources across the world (including South Asia and the
Indian sub-continent); factors responsible for the location of primary, secondary, and
tertiary sector industries in various parts of the world (including India)
Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity,
cyclone etc., geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical
features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects
of such changes.
Paper-III
General Studies -II: 250 Marks (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and
International relations)
Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments,
significant provisions and basic structure.
Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges
pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local
levels and challenges therein.
Separation of powers between various organs dispute redressal mechanisms and
institutions.
Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries
Parliament and State Legislatures - structure, functioning, conduct of business,
powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.
Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary Ministries
and Departments of the
Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the
Polity.
Salient features of the Representation of People's Act.
Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of
various Constitutional
Bodies.

Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies

Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues
arising out of their design and implementation.
Development processes and the development industry the role of NGOs, SHGs,
various groups and associations, donors, charities, institutional and other
stakeholders
Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States
and the performance of these schemes; mechanisms, laws, institutions and
Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to
Health, Education, Human Resources.
Issues relating to poverty and hunger.
Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governanceapplications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters,
transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
Role of civil services in a democracy.
India and its neighborhood- relations.
Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or
affecting India's interests
Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's
interests, Indian diaspora.
Important International institutions, agencies and fora, their structure, mandate.
PAPER-IV
General Studies -III 250 Marks (Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity,
Environment, Security and Disaster Management)
Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management.
Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth,
development and
employment.
Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
Government Budgeting.
Major crops cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of
irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural
produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers
Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices;
Public Distribution System objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of
buffer stocks and food security; Technology missions;

economics of animal-rearing.
Food processing and related industries in India- scope and significance, location,
upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.
Land reforms in India.
Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects
on industrial growth.
Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Investment models.
Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday
life
Achievements of Indians in science & technology;
indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, biotechnology and issues relating to intellectual property rights.
Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact
assessment
Disaster and disaster management.
Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and
social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security;
money-laundering and its prevention
Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized
crime with terrorism
Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate
Paper-V
General Studies -IV 250 Marks (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)
This paper will include questions to test the candidates' attitude and approach to
issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem solving approach to
various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. Questions may
utilise the case study approach to determine these aspects. The following broad
areas will be covered.
Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in
human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics in private and public relationships.
Human Values - lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and
administrators; role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values.

Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and
behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service , integrity, impartiality and nonpartisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and
compassion towards the weaker-sections.
Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration
and governance.
Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems;
ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules,
regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical
governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance;
ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance
and probity; Information
sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics,
Codes of Conduct, Citizen's
Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds,
challenges of corruption.
Case Studies on above issues.
Paper-VI
Optional Subject - Paper I -250 Marks
Paper-VII
Optional Subject - Paper II -250 Marks
{Candidates may choose any optional subject from amongst the list of subjects given
in para 2 below (Group
1). NOTE:
(i) Marks obtained by the candidates for all papers EXCEPT PAPER A & B will be
counted for merit ranking. However, the Commission will have the discretion to fix
qualifying marks in any or all papers of the examination Aspirants can log on to
UPSC's official website (www.upsc.gov.in) to see the detailed notification.